Education system
The
Netherlands
The Dutch education system
described
Education system
Education system The Netherlands
This document provides information about the education system of the Netherlands. It
also includes the Dutch comparison of qualifications obtained in the Netherlands.
Except where expressly stated otherwise and with the exception of images and
illustrations, this publication is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) Licence. For more information about the reuse
of this publication please visit https://www.nuffic.nl/en/home/copyright.
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Education system
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
Education system The Netherlands
L8
Doctorate
(PhD)
undergraduate
postgraduate
4
L7
L7
Master’s degree
(universities of applied sciences)
1-3
1-2
L6
Bachelor of Arts (BA)/
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
(research universities)
L6
Bachelor’s degree
(universities of applied sciences)
3
4
Master of Arts (MA) /
Master of Science (MSc)
(research universities)
L5
Associate degree
(universities of applied sciences)
2
mbo-diploma
(senior secondary vocational
education and training)
L1-4
1-4
L4
vwo-diploma
(university preparatory education)
L4
havo-diploma
(senior general secondary education)
L1/2
vmbo-diploma
(preparatory secondary vocational
education)
6
5
4
Primary education
L1
7-8
L0
Education level
0
Duration of education
Click here to view a sample of
the diploma
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
National Framework of Qualifications
The Dutch Qualifications Framework (NLQF) comprises 8 qualification levels and an
entry level.
The following illustration is a simplified diagram of the Dutch NLQF:
EQF
NLQF
Dutch Qualification
8
8
Doctor
7
7
Master
6
6
Bachelor
5
5
Associate Degree
4
4+
VWO
4
4
MBO 4 / HAVO
3
3
MBO 3
2
2
VMBO kb, gl and tl / MBO 2
1
1
VMBO bb / MBO 1
Source: National Coordination Point for the Dutch Qualifications Framework NLQF
(www.nlqf.nl)
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Introduction
The Netherlands is a parliamentary democracy with a King as head of state
and a Prime Minister as head of the government. The parliament is
bicameral, consisting of the Senate (Eerste Kamer) with 75 members and
the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) with 150 members. The
Netherlands is divided into twelve provinces. The responsibilities of the
government and the provinces are laid down in the Constitution.
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) has the political responsibility for
the educational system and is bound by national legislation: the Higher Education and
Research Act (Wet op Hoger onderwijs en Wetenschappelijk onderzoek, WHW) and the
Student Grants Act 2000 (Wet studiefinanciering 2000, WSF 2000). The WSF was last
amended in 2007, and an important result of this is that since 1 September 2007,
students have been able to take their student grants abroad under certain conditions in
order to obtain a higher education degree there.
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is responsible to a large extent for the
financing of the education system, defines the general education policy and specifies the
admission requirements, structure and objectives of the education system on general
lines. In addition, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and the Ministry of Economic
Affairs are involved in the content of higher education. At all levels (primary, secondary
and higher education), there is a general trend towards fewer rules and regulations, so
that institutions can take responsibility themselves for the implementation of government
policy.
The Dutch education system consists of 8 years of primary education, 4, 5 or 6 years of
secondary education (depending on the type of school) and 2 to 6 years of higher
education (depending on the type of education and the specialisation). Both public and
private institutions exist at all levels of the education system; the private institutions are in
most cases based on religious or ideological principles.
Dutch higher education has a binary system, which means that a distinction is made
between research oriented education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs) and higher
professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs). This difference in orientation has
continued to exist after the introduction of the bachelor’s-master’s degree structure in
2002. Research-oriented education takes place primarily at research universities
(universiteiten) and the higher professional education at universities of applied sciences
(hogescholen). As well as the different objectives, each of the two types of education has
its own admission requirements, programme duration and titles.
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The language of education is Dutch, but under the influence of the Bologna process more
and more study programmes are being offered in English. Education is compulsory in the
Netherlands between the ages of 5 and 16.
The academic year runs from 1 September until 31 August.

Primary and secondary education
Primary education
Primary education is intended for children in the age group 4 to 12 and is compulsory for
children from the age of 5. This type of education lasts 8 years and is provided by schools
for primary education (basisonderwijs) or special education (speciaal onderwijs). The
generic name for these types of education is primair onderwijs. Depending on the
individual results and preferences, pupils move on to secondary education (voortgezet
onderwijs). At the end of group 8, the last year of primary education, pupils select a type
of secondary education on the basis of a recommendation from their school, their own
preference and in many cases a national test known as the Citotoets. They have 2
options to choose from: general secondary education (algemeen voortgezet onderwijs,
HAVO or VWO) or preparatory secondary vocational education (beroepsgericht
voortgezet onderwijs,VMBO).
Secondary education
This type of education, which was called middelbaar onderwijs before the introduction of
the Secondary Education Act (Mammoetwet) in 1968, is intended for children in the age
group 12 to 16, 17 or 18. General secondary education lasts 5 or 6 years and is
compulsory for pupils up to the age of 16. Pupils can choose between two types of
education, both of which start with a junior stage (onderbouw). The onderbouw lasts 2 or
3 school years, depending on the type of secondary education. At the end of the second
year, pupils in most school types receive advice on which type of education is best for
them to follow.
General secondary education (HAVO or VWO)
Within general secondary education (algemeen voortgezet onderwijs), there are two
types of education: pre-university education (voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs,
VWO) with a study duration of 6 years, which can be taken at a gymnasium, atheneum or
lyceum (a combination of gymnasium and atheneum) and senior general secondary
education (hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs, HAVO), which lasts 5 years. The study
programme in general secondary education concludes with a national examination in 7
subjects (VWO) or 6 subjects (HAVO). If the examination is passed, the VWO or HAVO
diploma is awarded.
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The onderbouw offers a broad range of subjects that is in principle accessible for
everyone. All pupils also receive guidance about future studies and careers. In the senior
stage (bovenbouw) (class 4 and 5 of the HAVO or class 4, 5 and 6 of the VWO), also
known as tweede fase, education is given on the basis of subject clusters (profielen), with
a general component that is the same for all pupils and a component of their own choice.
To further the transition to higher education, all pupils must choose one of the four
clusters: culture and society (cultuur en maatschappij), economics and society (economie
en maatschappij), science and health (natuur en gezondheid) or science and technology
(natuur en techniek). For admission to higher education, all the requirements of the
chosen cluster must at least be satisfied.
The HAVO diploma is positioned at level 4 of the Dutch Qualifications Framework
(NLQF level 4 / EQF level 4).
Full description of NLQF level 4: www.nlqf.nl
The VWO diploma is positioned at level 4+ of the Dutch Qualifications Framework
(NLQF level 4+ / EQF level 4).
Full description of NLQF level 4+: www.nlqf.nl
Preparatory secondary vocational education (VMBO)
Preparatory secondary vocational education (voorbereidend middelbaar
beroepsonderwijs, VMBO), whjch replaced preparatory vocational education
(voorbereidend beroepsonderwijs, VBO) and junior general secondary education
(middelbaar algemeen voortgezet onderwijs, MAVO) in 1999, is vocationally oriented and
lasts 4 years. Like the general secondary education, this type of education starts with a
basic stage (onderbouw). This lasts 2 school years and offers a broad range of subjects.
At the end of the second class, pupils choose a learning track (leerweg) and a sector.
The VMBO has 4 sectors: technology (techniek), health and personal care and welfare
(zorg en welzijn), economics (economie) and agriculture (landbouw). Within each sector,
pupils can choose from four learning tracks (leerwegen): the basic vocational track
(basisberoepsgerichte leerweg), advanced vocational track (kaderberoepsgerichte
leerweg), the combined track (gemengde leerweg) and the theoretical track (theoretische
leerweg). The theoretical track provides admission to the HAVO and to the vocational
training (vakopleidingen) and management training (middenkaderopleidingen) in senior
secondary vocational education (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, MBO). The other tracks
do not provide admission to the HAVO, but serve as a good preparation for senior
secondary vocational education (MBO). Depending on the track followed, admission to
MBO study programmes at various levels is possible. The study programmes in
voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs are concluded with a national examination.
If the examination is passed, the VMBO diploma is awarded.
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The VMBO diploma is positioned at level 1/2 of the Dutch Qualifications Framework
(NLQF level 1/2 / EQF level 1/2), depending on the specialisation.
Full description of NLQF level 1/2: www.nlqf.nl
Senior secondary vocational education (MBO)
Senior secondary vocational education (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs,MBO) prepares
pupils for work or a subsequent study programme. This type of education follows on from
the VMBO; the length of the study programme depends on the qualification chosen.
Middelbaar beroepsonderwijs can be followed at regional training centres (ROCs),
agrarian training centres (AOCs) and vocational schools (vakscholen).
Senior secondary vocational education has four training levels: qualification level 1,
assistant training (assistentopleiding) has a study duration of an ½ to 1 year and is
concluded with an assistentopleiding diploma; qualification level 2 basic vocational
training (basisberoepsopleiding) has a study duration of 2 to 3 years and is concluded
with a basisberoepsopleiding diploma; qualification level 3 vocational training
(vakopleiding) lasts 2 to 4 years and is concluded with a vakopleiding diploma. The
management training (middenkaderopleiding) at qualification level 4 lasts about 4 years
and provides admission to higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO).
The specialist training (specialistenopleiding) is also at qualification level 4 and lasts 1 to
2 years. Before the specialistenopleiding, pupils follow vakopleiding or
middenkaderopleiding.
Pupils in the MBO can choose from 2 learning tracks (leerwegen): the school-based route
with fulltime education (beroepsopleidende leerweg - BOL) in which pupils spend at least
20% and no more than 60% of their time as interns, and the work-based route
(beroepsbegeleidende leerweg - BBL), in which at least 60% of their time is spent
working as interns. Practical experience forms an important part of the training for both
learning tracks.
Further information on vocational qualifications is available in the Certificate Supplements
on the website of the National Reference Point for information on vocational education.
See under Addresses.
The MBO diploma is positioned at level 1-4 of the Dutch Qualifications Framework
(NLQF level 1-4 / EQF leve l 1-4), depending on the duration and the specialisation of
the programme.
Full description of NLQF level 1/2: www.nlqf.nl
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Admission to higher education
A secondary education diploma (MBO diploma at qualification level 4, HAVO or VWO
diploma) is required for admission to higher education. The type of diploma required
depends on the type of higher education to be attended.
Admission to a programme at a research university (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO)
requires a VWO diploma or the completion of the first year of higher professional
education (HBO), in some cases with additional requirements relating to the subjects
taken.
Admission to higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO) requires a
HAVO or VWO diploma. For this type of education, too, additional requirements relating
to the subjects taken apply in some cases. Admission to higher professional education is
also possible on the basis of an MBO diploma at qualification level 4: a diploma from a
management training (middenkaderopleiding) or specialist training (specialistenopleiding)
programme in the secondary vocational education (MBO). In addition to admission to
higher professional education, this diploma also gives exemption of the first year in some
cases, provided it has been obtained in a related field of study. Admission to the (shorter)
associate degree programme takes place on the basis of the same admission
requirements as those for the HBO programme in question.
For some study programmes, such as those in art education, special skills specified by
the institution itself are required. Besides this, some study programmes are bound by a
numerus fixus, meaning that there is a maximum number of first-year students that can
be admitted. This usually applies to study programmes that are very popular, while there
are a limited number of places, such as medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry,
journalism or physiotherapy. Selection takes place to some extent by means of a
weighted draw (loting), in which a higher average mark in the final school examination
gives a higher chance of winning a place.
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Higher education
In the Netherlands, there are 3 types of higher education institutions: government-funded
(bekostigde), approved (aangewezen) and private (particuliere) institutions. Governmentfunded institutions (thirteen universiteiten, the Open Universiteit and more than 50
hogescholen) receive funds from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science or the
Ministry of Economic Affairs and are entitled to award officially recognised degrees.
These institutions offer study programmes for which the tuition fees are established by
law. Aangewezen institutions, including the Universiteit voor Humanistiek and the
Nyenrode Business Universiteit, are institutions that receive no funding from the Dutch
government, but may still award officially recognised bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
These institutions are not bound by the official tuition fees, but may determine their tuition
fees themselves. Private institutions, for example foreign universities, are institutions that
are not covered by Dutch government regulations. However, these institutions can apply
for accreditation by the NVAO, provided certain conditions are met.
Research-oriented education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs - wo) is given at 14 Dutch
research universities (universiteiten) in the Netherlands, including the Open Universiteit,
but collaboration with universities of applied sciences (hogescholen) is becoming
increasingly common. Most universities offer study programmes in various disciplines,
such as economics (economie), law (rechten), medicine (geneeskunde), language and
culture (taal- en cultuur), natural sciences (natuurwetenschappen) and public
administration (bestuurswetenschappen); one universiteit specialises in agriculture and
the environment and three universiteiten primarily offer technical study programmes.
Wetenschappelijk onderwijs can also be followed at a University college, which is
generally part of a universiteit. These colleges mainly offer undergraduate programmes in
liberal arts.
Higher professional education is primarily offered by universities of applied sciences
(hogescholen). HBO has 7 educational sectors: economics, health care, agriculture,
teacher training, social work, arts and engineering. Within these sectors, students can
choose from various educational profiles. Almost all types of study programme can be
followed at universities of applied sciences, located all over the Netherlands. Some
hogescholen primarily offer study programmes in the field of agriculture or art, or
specialise in teacher training.
Finally, the Netherlands has a number of Institutes for International Education (IE
institutes) with a relatively small number of students.. Most of these are part of a research
university. They offer a wide range of study programmes in specific disciplines that in
many cases lead to a master’s degree or PhD. Further information is available on the
website of the Platform for International Education. See under Addresses.
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
Research-oriented education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs,
WO)
Research-oriented education offers study programmes with the primary objective of
“independent academic participation or the professional use of academic knowledge”.
Research-oriented education is divided into three study cycles. Study programmes are
divided into a bachelor’s programme of 3 years (180 ECTS) followed by a master’s
programme that lasts 1 year (60 ECTS), 2 years (120 ECTS) or 3 years (180 ECTS),
depending on the specialization. This can be followed by research for a doctor’s degree,
which generally lasts 4 years. No ECTS credits are generally linked to this cycle.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) / Bachelor of Science (BSc)
The first cycle in research-oriented education lasts 3 years and leads to the title of
Bachelor, with the addition ‘of Arts, of Science’, depending on the specialization. Students
who graduate from a Law programme receive the title Bachelor of Laws (LLB). The
bachelor’s programme may be divided into a first-year component (propedeutische fase)
and a main component, and it has an academic orientation. Depending on the institution,
students will focus primarily on one specialization, or on a main and subsidiary subject,
known as the major / minor structure. In the third year of the study programme, students
are often required to write a short final paper (scriptie). Every bachelor’s degree
automatically gives admission to a master’s programme in a similar field of study at the
same university, but a bachelor’s degree may also conclude the student’s education.
Admission to master’s programmes at other institutions is also possible if this is approved
by the executive board of the institution and a certificate of admission is issued. With
effect from the academic year 2010 / 2011, the bachelor’s diploma is compulsory for
admission to the master’s programme.
The bachelor’s degree is positioned at level 6 of the Dutch Qualifications Framework
(NLQF level 6 / EQF level 6).
Full description of NLQF level 6: www.nlqf.nl
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Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MSc)
The second cycle in research-oriented education lasts 1 year (for most specialisations), 2
years (engineering and scientific specialisations) or 3 years (medicine, veterinary
science, pharmaceutical science and dentistry). Since the introduction of the bachelor’smaster’s degree structure in 2002, this cycle leads to the title of Master, with the addition
‘of Arts, of Science’, depending on the specialisation. Students who graduate from a law
programme receive the title Master of Laws (LLM). Under certain conditions, graduates
from master’s programmes in research-oriented education are still entitled to use one of
the traditional Dutch titles, depending on the specialisation. For most specialisations, this
is the title doctorandus (drs.); for engineering studies or programmes in the field of
agriculture and the natural environment, this is the title ingenieur (ir.) and for study
programmes in Law, the title meester (mr.).
During the second cycle, the student specialises in a particular field and is also taught
about research methods. For most specialisations, writing a final paper is a compulsory
component of the study programme.
The master’s degree is positioned at level 7 of the Dutch Qualifications Framework
(NLQF level 7 / EQF level 7).
Full description of NLQF level 7: www.nlqf.nl
PhD
The third cycle of research-oriented education generally lasts 4 years and leads to the
title of doctor (dr.). A master’s degree obtained in higher education can give admission to
the doctoral programme (promotie). This primarily involves carrying out an independent
research project, sometimes in combination with a study programme. The doctoral
candidate (promovendus) writes a doctoral thesis (proefschrift) under the supervision of
one or more supervisors (promotoren). After the thesis has been defended in public, the
title of doctor is awarded. In addition, the 3 engineering universities offer third cycle
programmes in technical design. These technical designer programmes have a nominal
duration of 2 years, and grant direct access to the labour market. Graduates obtain the
degree “Professional Doctorate in Engineering (PDEng)”.
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
Higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs,
HBO)
Higher professional education (HBO) is a form of higher education that has a more
practical orientation, and its primary objective is “the transfer of theoretical knowledge
and the development of skills that are closely linked to professional practice”.
Universities of applied sciences offer both bachelor’s programmes and associate degree
programmes. With effect from 1 September 2002, all initial higher professional education
programmes have been converted into bachelor’s programmes. Since the introduction of
the bachelor’s-master’s degree structure, it has also been possible for universities of
applied sciences to offer master’s programmes. These programmes are recognised by
law, provided they have been accredited by Dutch-Flemish accreditation organization
NVAO. See under Quality Assurance and accreditation. Some universities of applied
sciences still offer graduate programmes. Since the introduction of the bachelor’smaster’s degree structure, these programmes have continued to exist in their current
form until such time as they are converted into master’s programmes. In most cases, this
conversion has already taken place. These are graduate programmes in art education
(kunstonderwijs) and architecture (bouwkunde) and the advanced teacher training
programmes for special education and for teaching general subjects at all levels of
secondary education.
Higher professional education is divided into 2 cycles: a bachelor’s programme lasting 4
years (240 ECTS) followed by a master’s programme of 1 year (60 ECTS) or 2 years
(120 ECTS), depending on the specialisation. A master’s degree obtained at a university
of applied sciences can give admission to the doctoral programme, the third cycle in
higher education. The range of titles in higher professional education will be expanded in
2015.
Bachelor’s programmes
The first cycle of higher professional education lasts 4 years. Students are awarded a
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (BA/BSc) or a Bachelor, with the addition of the
specialisation in which the degree has been obtained (for example Bachelor of
Economics, Bachelor of Education). Depending on the specialisation, graduates from
bachelor’s programmes in higher professional education are still entitled under certain
conditions to use one of the traditional Dutch titles, baccalaureus (bc.) or ingenieur (ing.).
The study programme in the first cycle is divided into a propedeuse (the first year)
followed by a main programme of 3 years. Students carry out a compulsory internship
lasting about 9 months to acquire practical experience, mostly in the third year. On the
basis of this internship, the fourth year includes a final paper or graduation project.
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The bachelor’s degree is positioned at level 6 of the Dutch Qualifications Framework
(NLQF level 6 / EQF level 6).
Full description of NLQF level 6: www.nlqf.nl
Associate degree programme (Ad-programme)
A short cycle also exists within the first cycle. The programme lasts 2 years (120 ECTS),
forms part of a bachelor’s programme in higher professional education and is completed
with an Associate Degree. The Associate Degree (abbreviated AD) was introduced by
law in 2007. At present, almost 60 associate degree programmes can already be followed
in the specialisations behaviour and society (gedrag en maatschappij), health care
(gezondheidszorg), engineering (techniek), economics (economie), agriculture and the
natural environment (landbouw en natuurlijke omgeving) and language and culture (taal
en cultuur). In the future, associate degree programmes leading to a teaching
qualification for secondary or vocational education will probably also be offered. After
obtaining an Associate Degree, students may choose whether to enter the labour market
or to follow the corresponding HBO bachelor’s programme: after completing an associate
degree programme, students can obtain a bachelor’s degree within 2 years.
The Associate Degree is positioned at level 5 of the Dutch Qualifications Framework
(NLQF level 5 / EQF level 5).
Full description of NLQF level 5: www.nlqf.nl
Master’s programmes
The second cycle in higher professional education usually lasts 1 year, but in some
specialisations (such as music) this is 2 years. This cycle leads to the title of Master of
Arts or Master of Science (MA/MSc) or a Master with the addition of the specialisation in
which the degree has been obtained, for example Master of Social Work. During the
master’s programme, the student specialises further in carrying out a particular
profession. A final paper or graduation project forms part of the programme, with the
emphasis on applied research.
The master’s degree is positioned at level 7 of the Dutch Qualifications Framework
(NLQF level 7 / EQF level 7).
Full description of NLQF level 7: www.nlqf.nl
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
Assessment systems
A 10-point system is used in both secondary and higher education, with 6 as the
minimum pass grade. The grades 1-3 and 9 and 10 are almost never awarded.
Numerical grade
Description
10
Outstanding
9
Very good
8
Good
7
More than satisfactory
6
Satisfactory
5
Almost satisfactory
4
Unsatisfactory
3
Very unsatisfactory
2
Poor
1
Very poor
Higher education institutions use the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). In this
system, 60 credits represent 1 year of study and one credit represents 28 hours of study.
A year of study is 42 weeks.
More information on the ECTS system is available in the ECTS User’s Guide issued by
the European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learningpolicy/doc/ects/guide_en.pdf
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
Bologna process
The introduction of the bachelor’s-master’s degree structure in Dutch higher education
was completed in September 2003. This has given higher education a structure of 3
cycles, but the difference in orientation has remained . The European Credit Transfer
System (ECTS) has also been introduced into Dutch higher education. More information
on the implementation of the bachelor’s-master’s degree structure in the Netherlands is
available on the official website of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA):
www.ehea.info/country-details.aspx?countryId=34.
With the introduction of the bachelor’s-master’s degree structure, the Dutch authorities
became aware of the importance of an accreditation system as a guarantee of the quality
of education: the Accreditation Act (Wet op de accreditatie) was passed in July 2002 This
resulted in the establishment of the Netherlands Accreditation Organization (Nederlandse
Accreditatie Organisatie, NAO) in 2002. The first accreditations were carried out in 2003.
A decision was made in 2005 to combine the accreditation of Dutch education and
education in Flanders (the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium). From then on, the NAO
became the Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatie Organisatie (NVAO). This organization is
responsible for the accreditation of the higher education programmes. In the Netherlands,
accreditation has the status of government recognition. See under Quality assurance
and accreditation.
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
Qualification frameworks
Within the European Higher Education Area, a great deal of attention has been paid to
qualifications frameworks in recent years. By describing qualifications in terms of learning
outcomes, an important goal of this particular instrument is to facilitate the mobility of
learners and workers as well as to facilitate the recognition of qualifications. There are
currently 2 qualifications frameworks in use in the Netherlands: the Dutch Qualifications
Framework consisting of 8 levels, and the National Qualifications Framework the
Netherlands, consisting of 3 cycles of higher education.
NLQF
The Dutch Qualifications Framework is based on the overarching European Qualifications
Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF-LLL). The EQF-LLL itself doesn’t include
individual qualifications, but describes the skills, knowledge and competencies associated
with each of the 8 levels. Individual countries are responsible for placing specific
qualifications in each of the levels to create a national qualifications framework. The
qualifications placed on an NQF include those obtained in formal secondary, higher and
vocational education, as well as those awarded in non-formal education and / or adult
education. After completing the process of placing formal qualifications on the NQF, it is
possible for that framework to be officially aligned to the overarching EQF-LLL, through
an official procedure known as referencing. The referencing process is an important step,
making it possible to compare the various qualification levels in different countries. The
NLQF was officially aligned to the EQF-LLL at the beginning of 2012. At the same time,
the National Coordination Point (NCP) was created, responsible for developing the NLQF
and for positioning non-formal qualifications on the framework.
For additional information on the NLQF, including a scheme in which the NLQF is
referenced to the EQF, see the NCP NLQF website: www.nlqf.nl
National Qualifications Framework the Netherlands
The National Qualifcations Framework the Netherlands is based on the Overarching
Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA),
developed as part of the Bologna process. This overarching framework describes
qualifications awarded in the 3 cycles of higher education, in terms of generic
competencies and learning outcomes and (with the exception of the third cycle) the
number of ECTS. The National Qualifications Framework the Netherlands consists of 3
cycles: bachelor, master, PhD. These 3 cycles correspond to levels 6, 7 and 8 of the
EQF-LLL. In 2009 the framework was evaluated as compatible to the QF-EHEA. The
Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) is responsible for
monitoring the framework and keeping it up to date.
For additional information on this framework, see the NVAO website: http://nvao.com/nqfnl
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
Quality assurance and accreditation
In the Netherlands, the Dutch-Flemish accreditation organization NVAO is responsible for
the accreditation of study programmes. The NVAO is a member of both the European
Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and the European
Consortium for Accreditation (ECA).
The main task of the organization is to monitor the quality of higher education in the
Netherlands and Flanders. It does this on the basis of the tasks described in the Higher
Education and Research Act (WHW) and in accordance with current international
accreditation practice. The task description includes monitoring the quality of existing
higher education study programmes and assessing the quality of new study programmes.
Higher education institutions are not required to have accreditation, but only students
registered for an accredited study programme are eligible for student grants and obtain a
recognised degree. The higher education institution appoints a review committee
(visitatiecommissie, VBI) itself to assess the quality of the study programme. It is
compulsory for the committee to consult independent experts. The VBI bases its
assessment on the criteria established by the NVAO for the accreditation and
assessment of study programmes. On the basis of the report from the VBI, the NVAO
takes a decision about the accreditation of a study programme, which is valid for 6 years.
Since January 2011, the Netherlands has a new accreditation system. Beginning 2011,
higher education institutions can request the NVAO to conduct an institutional quality
assurance assessment to determine the extent to which the institution is capable of
guaranteeing the quality of the programmes it offers. Programmes offered by institutions
that receive a positive evaluation still have to be accredited, but the accreditation
procedure takes less time and is not as extensive. An overview of accredited bachelor’s
and master’s programmes is available on the NVAO website. See under Addresses.
Besides the NVAO website, the Central Register of Higher Education Study Programmes
(Centraal Register Opleidingen Hoger Onderwijs, CROHO) can also be consulted if you
wish to check if a programme is accredited. The CROHO register lists all the accredited
programmes offered by both government-funded and approved higher education
institutions. More information can be found on the website of the Dienst Uitvoering
Onderwijs (DUO). See under Addresses. If a bachelor‘s or master’s degree programme
is not registered in CROHO, the quality of the programme is not assured by the Dutch
quality assurance system. The quality may however be assured by the accreditation
system of another country.
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Additionally, the Netherlands has an instrument that has the objective of guaranteeing the
quality of the internationalization of Dutch higher education: the Code of Conduct
(Gedragscode Internationale Studenten). This code of conduct came into force in Dutch
higher education with effect from 1 May 2006. An institution that signs the code of
conduct undertakes to keep the rules stated in the code for ‘good practice’ in relation to
the recruitment and admission of foreign students and the provision of information and
education to foreign students. A national committee monitors compliance with the
requirements stated in the code of conduct. A list of the higher education institutions that
have signed the Code of Conduct can be found on the website of DUO, which acts as
administrator of the Code of Conduct register. See under Addresses.

International treaties
The Netherlands signed the Lisbon Convention in 2002 and ratified it in 2008. In addition,
the Netherlands has signed a number of multilateral agreements, particularly at a
European level, on the recognition of study programmes and qualifications. The
Netherlands has made bilateral agreements with Germany and Austria, among others, on
the recognition of higher education qualifications.

Addresses
www.nuffic.nl
Website of the Nuffic, the Netherlands organization for international cooperation in higher
education, which is also the Dutch ENIC / NARIC.
www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ocw
Website of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW).
www.vsnu.nl
Website of the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), the umbrella
organization of research universities in the Netherlands.
www.vereniginghogescholen.nl
Website of the Vereniging Hogescholen (former HBO-Raad), the umbrella organization of
universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands.
www.knaw.nl
Website of the KNAW, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (Koninklijke
Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen).
www.nwo.nl
Website of the NWO, the Netherlands Organization for Scientific research (Nederlandse
organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek).
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www.nvao.com and http://.nvao.com/nqf-nl
Websites of the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization (NVAO), including an overview
of accredited programmes and information on the National Qualifications Framework the
Netherlands.
www.nlqf.nl
Website of the National Coordination Point NLQF (NCP).
www.ib-groep.nl/zakelijk/ho/croho/croho.asp and www.internationalstudy.nl
Websites of the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs with the CROHO register and with a list of
institutions that have signed the Code of Conduct.
www.nuffic.nl/internationalstudents
Website provided by Nuffic with detailed information about studying in the Netherlands.
www.pieonline.nl
Website of the Platform for International Education (PIE) with information about the
Institutes for International Education.
www.s-bb.nl
Website of SBB, the foundation for Co-operation on Vocational Education, Training and
the Labour Market.
http://nlnrp.nl/certificaatsupplement.html
Website of the National Reference Point for information on vocational education,
including information on Certificate Supplements.

Diploma Supplement
The introduction of the Diploma Supplement (DS) was regulated by law in the
Netherlands in 2005. In 2014, the majority of all students will receive the European
version of the Diploma Supplement with their final diploma.
More information on the Diploma Supplement is available on the website of the European
Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc1239_en.htm.

Composition of file
Diplomas for secondary education consist of a certificate, list of subjects and a list of
grades.
Higher education diplomas also consist of more than one page: a certificate of the award
of the degree and / or title, a list of grades stating the results of the examinations and in
some cases a separate list of subjects.
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
List of higher education institutions
www.vsnu.nl
Website of the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) with a list of the
research universities in the Netherlands.
www.vereniginghogescholen.nl
Website of the Vereniging Hogescholen, the Netherlands Association of Universities of
Applied Sciences (former HBO-Raad) with a list of all universities of applied sciences.
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
Havo-diploma
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
Havo-diploma - transcript
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
Vwo-diploma
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
Vwo-diploma - transcript
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
Diploma bachelor’s programme - university
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
Bachelor’s programme - university (transcript)
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Diploma master’s programme - university
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International diplomasupplement master’s programme –
university (page 1)
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International diplomasupplement master’s programme –
university (page 2)
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International diplomasupplement master’s programme –
university (page 3)
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Diploma bachelor’s programme – university of applied
sciences
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Bachelor’s programme - university of applied sciences
(transcript)
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Diploma graduate programme – university of applied
sciences
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Diplomasupplement graduate programme – university of
applied sciences
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Diploma master’s programme – university of applied
sciences
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